Hundreds attend Colchester festival, fife and drum muster

Hundreds of people came out Saturday for the Colchester Festival on the Green and the fife and drum muster.

NICOLE WAGNER

Hundreds of people came out Saturday for the Colchester Festival on the Green and the fife and drum muster.

The Colchester Historical Society has sponsored the festival for 22 years.

“This is our largest fundraising event,” Colchester Historical Society President Angela George said. “It is all about involving the community.”

The event featured 63 craft vendors, a food court, the fife and drum corps muster, and the Colchester Regional Chamber Orchestra. Most of the vendors were local, and they had a variety of products for sale.

“I am so excited about the crafts we have,” crafts chairman Joann Ridell crafts, said. “They came from all around Connecticut, some from Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and we even have one from New York.”

The orchestra, conducted and founded by Joseph Gardner, has been performing at the festival for 21 years, and the Colchester Continentals have been part of it for eight years.

“We have been here in 90 degree weather and rain, and we still keep coming back,” Gardner said. “It’s a great event.”

At noon, seven fife and drum corps began drumming their way to muster on the green, which was hosted by the Continentals. Joining them were Windsor Fife and Drum Corps, Milford Volunteer Fife and Drum Corps, Nathan Hale Ancient Fifes and Drums, Nutmeg Volunteers Fife and Drum Corps, Argovia Rebels from Switzerland, and the Marlborough Jr. Ancient Fife and Drum Alumni.

The Continentals played the national anthem and the crowd covered its ears as gunshot volleys boomed.

“Being involved is something I enjoy,” Dale Newton, treasurer and bass drum for the Continentals, said. “My goals for the day have already been accomplished; a beautiful day and for people to show up.”

The muster ended with a “jollification,” in which all the drum corps came together to play music.
Jennifer Paquette said she traditionally comes to the festival.

“It’s a family affair,” she said. “It is neat to see what local crafters are doing and great when the community comes together like this.”